US20110052357A1 - Modular dolly - Google Patents

Abstract

The modular dolly is a manually operated device facilitating the transport of large, heavy, and/or bulky objects. The dolly includes four smaller wheels and two larger diameter wheel and brake assemblies for temporary installation to the sides of the dolly platform for movement over soft, rough, and/or uneven surfaces. A ramp is removably attachable to the loading end of the platform coplanar therewith to facilitate loading the dolly. The ramp also attaches removably to the opposite anchor end of the platform and normal thereto, to serve as a backstop or anchor for a load placed on the platform. A smaller secondary panel may be installed in the anchor end when the ramp is in use during loading, or may be assembled coplanar to the ramp or platform to lengthen the ramp or platform. The dolly may also be used with a stair-climbing hand truck, forklift, pallet jack, or the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,168, filed Aug. 25, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to manually operated hand trucks, carts, dollies and the like, and particularly to a modular dolly having various repositionable panels and wheels to provide for the loading of large, heavy and/or bulky articles thereon and the transport of such articles over soft, rough and/or uneven terrain. The dolly is also adapted for use as a ramp and with a stair-climbing hand truck.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Innumerable dollies, carts, hand trucks, and the like have been developed in the past for various general and specialized purposes. Such devices are generally used for the carriage and transport of relatively large, bulky, and/or heavy articles, e.g., large appliances, console-size office machines such as copiers and the like, etc. Most such devices are relatively simple in their construction and configuration and accordingly have various limitations relating to their use, e.g., lifting large and/or heavy appliances, carrying such appliances over rough and uneven terrain, etc.
• Such limitations are readily apparent when attempting to transport a large console-size office machine (copier, printer, document shredder, etc.) to and from its site in an office or the like. The need to lift or move the machine onto and from the dolly is apparent, and is quite strenuous when using a conventional dolly, hand truck or the like. Moving the appliance or machine onto and from a truck (van, pickup, etc.) is also often quite a project with conventional moving equipment. Once the dolly or cart and its appliance are resting on the surface, it is generally necessary to move the loaded dolly across various surfaces that are not compatible with the relatively small diameter wheels generally installed on such dollies, e.g., pavement gutters, expanses of relatively soft grass or gravel, doorway thresholds, etc. Even when each of the above problems has been resolved, it is often necessary to negotiate one or more flights of stairs when delivering or removing such equipment.
• Thus, a modular dolly solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The modular dolly includes a generally rectangular platform having a relatively small wheel beneath each corner thereof. Two of the wheels are preferably steerable or caster wheels (i.e., wheels mounted on a swivel), and two of the wheels (they may be the same wheels) have selectively operable brakes. A pair of larger diameter wheel and brake assemblies may be selectively attached medially to the sides of the platform to facilitate moving the platform and any load thereon over soft, rough, and/or uneven terrain.
• A ramp may be selectively installed or secured to either end of the platform. The ramp is coplanar with the platform when secured to the first or loading end thereof, facilitating the movement of a heavy object up the ramp and onto the platform. The ramp is perpendicular to the platform when secured to the opposite second or anchor end thereof, and serves as a generally vertical anchor or tiedown for the object being transported on the dolly. A smaller or shorter secondary panel may be installed as a perpendicular backstop in the anchor end of the platform in place of the ramp during loading operations or as a coplanar extension of the platform anchor end, or with the ramp in the loading end of the platform as an extension of the ramp. Another optional short platform extension may also be removably attached to the first or loading end of the platform, if desired. The various ramps and panels and their various provisions for attachment to the primary structure also enable the device to be used as a ramp between, e.g., a vehicle (moving truck, etc.) and steps or other structure, as required.
• The modular dolly is adapted for use with a conventional stair-climbing hand truck, enabling the dolly to transport a large, heavy, and/or bulky object up or down a flight of steps or stairs when used in combination with the stair-climbing hand truck. Such a stair-climbing hand truck is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/182,578 (now abandoned), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The stair-climbing hand truck adaptation of the dolly may also be used to lift the dolly using a forklift, pallet jack, or other similar device.
• These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, illustrating its basic components.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled dolly ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the assembled dolly ofFIGS. 1 and 2.
• FIG. 4 is a partial section view along lines4-4 ofFIG. 3, showing details of the removable auxiliary wheel attachment.
• FIG. 5 is a section view along lines5-5 ofFIG. 4, showing details of the brake apparatus for an auxiliary wheel.
• FIG. 6 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, showing the initial step in the loading of a large appliance onto the dolly.
• FIG. 7 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, showing a subsequent step in the loading of the large appliance onto the dolly.
• FIG. 8 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, showing the dolly and its load being lifted by a hand truck having load-lifting capability.
• FIG. 10 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, showing the dolly lifted by the hand truck and using one of the platform modules of the dolly as loading bridge or ramp.
• FIG. 11 is an environmental side elevation view of a modular dolly according to the present invention, showing the dolly loaded onto a stair-climbing hand truck, negotiating a flight of stairs.
• Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The modular dolly is adapted for the transport of relatively large, heavy, and bulky articles, e.g., office machines such as copiers, etc.FIG. 1 of the drawings provides an exploded perspective view of thedolly10 illustrating the basic removable or separable components thereof, whileFIG. 2 illustrates the assembleddolly10. Themodular dolly10 includes aplatform12 having opposite first and second ends, respectively14 and16, and opposite first and second sides or side members, respectively18 and20. Theplatform12 is constructed of a series of extruded panels with additional hollow beam extrusions forming the twoside members18 and20.
• Four relatively small wheels are provided beneath theplatform12, with two of thewheels22 and24 depending from beneath thefirst end14 of theplatform12 and the other twowheels26,28 depending from beneath thesecond end16 of the platform;wheel28 is shown inFIG. 10. Thefirst end wheels22,24 may be non-castering, i.e., directionally fixed, but each of these first end wheels preferably includes a conventional lever actuatedbrake mechanism30. The oppositesecond end wheels26,28 are caster or swiveling wheels, and do not necessarily include brakes. The foursmaller diameter wheels22 through28 are preferably formed as solid discs of hard rubber or other suitable material.
• Additional removable wheel assemblies are provided to facilitate movement of thedolly10 over rough, soft, and/or uneven surfaces. First and second auxiliary wheel assemblies, respectively32 and34, removably attach to the first andsecond sides18 and20 of theplatform12, respectively. The two auxiliary wheel assemblies32,34 have considerably larger diameters than the four relatively small permanently installedwheels22 through28. Even though the axles of theauxiliary wheels32,34 are essentially coplanar with theplatform12 while the axles of the smallerpermanent wheels22 through28 are below the platform, the considerably larger diameters of theauxiliary wheel assemblies32,34 result in the bottoms of those wheels, when installed, extending below the bottoms of the smaller permanent wheels, as shown inFIG. 3 of the drawings. The larger diameters of the auxiliary wheels and their location substantially at the medial point of theplatform12 allow theauxiliary wheel assemblies32,34 to support theentire dolly10 and any load thereon while the smaller, permanently installedwheels22 through28 remain clear of the underlying surface, generally as shown inFIG. 3 of the drawings. The larger diameter auxiliary wheel assemblies provide greatly reduced rolling resistance over relatively rough, soft, and/or uneven surfaces, in comparison to the smaller diameter (and narrower) permanently installedwheels22 through28.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 provide detailed views of the structure of the firstauxiliary wheel assembly32, with it being understood that the secondauxiliary wheel assembly34 is a mirror image of thefirst assembly32. Eachwheel assembly32,34 is pneumatic, as generally shown in the section view ofFIG. 5, i.e., having awheel hub36 with apneumatic tire38 installed thereon. Each of thewheel assemblies32,34 includes an axle40 (FIG. 5) affixed normal to and extending outwardly from a generally L-sectionplatform attachment member42. Theplatform attachment member42 includes a longitudinal channel-engaging track44 (FIG. 4) extending therealong, and aplate46 extending therefrom and forming one leg of the L. Theplate46 includes apassage60 therethrough. Apin50 is selectively insertable into and through thepassage60. Abracket52 depends from theplate46. Thepin50 is secured in thebracket52 by aspring54. Thespring54 selectively holds thepin50 in either a wheel-securing position (as shown inFIG. 5) wherein thepin50 is held upwardly by thespring54 to engage alower passage48 in theside member18 or20 of the platform12 (as described below), or is held downwardly in a release position clear of theside member passage48 to allow the removal of the wheel assembly from theplatform12.
• Each of the twosides18 and20 of theplatform12 is of a hollow, generally rectangular configuration, with the twosides18,20 being mirror images of one another. Each side, e.g., thefirst side18 shown in section inFIG. 4, includes anouter face56 with alongitudinal channel58 formed therein, with thelower passage48 formed through the bottom surface or wall of the side member orbeam18. Eachwheel assembly32,34 is attached to itsrespective side member18,20 generally as shown inFIG. 1 of the drawings. The channel-engagingtrack44 of theplatform attachment member42 slides into thechannel58 of the side member, e.g.,side member18, from thefirst end14 of theplatform12. The wheel assembly, e.g.,assembly32, is then slid rearwardly along the side member until the hole orpassage60 of theplatform attachment plate46 aligns with the corresponding hole orpassage48 through the bottom wall of theside member18. Thepin50 is then pushed home through the twopassages48 and60, to lock thewheel assembly32 along theside member18. Thepin50 may be pushed inwardly before the twoholes48 and60 align, with thespring54 snapping the pin into thehole48 of the side member bottom wall when the two holes orpassages48 and60 align.
• Brakes are provided on the twoauxiliary wheel assemblies32 and34, withFIG. 5 particularly showing the details of the brake assembly for the firstauxiliary wheel assembly32. Abrake bar62 slides longitudinally fore and aft relative to theaxle40 and other wheel assembly structure. Thebrake bar62 includes a pair of tire contacts orshoes64 that make contact with the inboard sidewall of thetire38 when the brake is engaged, as shown in broken lines inFIG. 5. Akick plate66 is provided at each end of thebrake bar62, for the operator of themodular dolly10 to kick thebrake bar62 forward to engage thebrake shoes64 with thetire38 as shown in broken lines inFIG. 5, or to kick thebrake bar62 rearwardly to release the brakes, as shown in solid lines.
• A relatively largeprimary ramp68 may be removably affixed to either end of theplatform12, as desired. Theprimary ramp68 has an area approximately the same size as that of theplatform12 and a width equal thereto and includes afirst end70, oppositesecond end72,first side74, and oppositesecond side76. Theprimary ramp68 is formed in much the same manner as theplatform12, i.e., using a series of extruded panels with a hollow beam extrusion forming each side member.
• The hollow extrusions of theside members74,76 provide for the insertion and permanent, immovably affixed attachment of atine78 therein and extending therefrom at thefirst end70 of theprimary ramp68. Each of theside members18 and20 of theplatform12 includes asocket80 at the second end of the platform, with thesockets80 formed of tubular material having essentially the same cross sectional dimensions and configuration as theplatform side members18 and20. The twosockets80 are normal to the orientation of theside members18 and20, and provide for the removable installation of the correspondingtines78 extending from theprimary ramp68. This allows theprimary ramp68 to be removably affixed to thesecond end16 of theplatform12 and normal thereto, as shown inFIGS. 2,3,9, and11. Retaining pins82 may be provided to prevent unintentional removal of thetines78 from thesockets80.
• The hollow cores of the twoside members18 and20 of theplatform12 also permit thetines78 to be removably installed therein at thefirst end14 of the platform. The installation of thetines78 within theside members74,76 of theprimary ramp68 and into theside members18,20 of theplatform12 assures that theprimary ramp68 will be substantially coplanar with theplatform12 when assembled thereto, as shown inFIGS. 6 through8 and10. As in the attachment of theprimary ramp68 to thesecond end16 of theplatform12, retaining pins (not shown, but essentially the same as thepins82 at the second end of the platform12) may be used to provide positive attachment of theprimary ramp68 to thefirst end14 of theplatform12.
• A shorterauxiliary ramp84 may be provided In addition to theprimary ramp68, if so desired. Theauxiliary ramp84 is constructed similarly to theplatform12 andprimary ramp68, i.e., formed of a series of extruded panels and having opposite first and second ends86,88 and opposite first and second sides orside members90,92. Theside members90,92 are of the same configuration as theside members18,20 of theplatform12 andside members74,76 of theprimary ramp68. Atine94 extends from eachside member90 and92, with thetines94 providing for the attachment of theauxiliary ramp84 to theplatform12 orprimary ramp68 as desired. Theauxiliary ramp tines94 are somewhat longer than theprimary ramp tines78, due to the beveled second end portions of theside members74 and76 of theprimary ramp68 to allow thesecond end72 of theramp68 to rest essentially level with the underlying surface when deployed.
• Theauxiliary ramp84 may be secured coplanar to thesecond end72 of theprimary ramp68 if so desired, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 3. The assembly of the primary andauxiliary ramps68 and84 may be used to provide a longer ramp length where required, or to extend the height of the assembly when used as a backstop normal to theplatform12, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. One or more handles96 (shown inFIG. 3) may be provided on the back side of theauxiliary ramp84, to facilitate maneuvering themodular dolly10 when the ramp assembly is installed as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, theauxiliary ramp84 may be installed directly in thesockets80 at thesecond end16 of theplatform12 and normal thereto to serve as a short backstop to prevent a load from rolling beyond thesecond end16 of the platform during loading operations when theprimary ramp68 is extended from thefirst end14 of the platform, as shown inFIGS. 6 through 8. A further alternativeauxiliary ramp84 installation is shown in broken lines inFIG. 1. Aslot95 may be provided in the rear of each of thesockets80 at thesecond end16 of theplatform12, to accept thetines94 of theauxiliary ramp84. Thetines94 pass through theslots95 and into the hollow cores of the twoside members18 and20 of theplatform12. Thetines94 are locked in place in therespective side members18 and20 by retainingpins82.
• In addition to the primary andauxiliary ramps68 and84, anoptional extension ramp100 may be added to theplatform12, if so desired, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. Theextension ramp100 is constructed and configured similarly to theplatform12 and the primary andauxiliary ramps68 and84, i.e., theextension ramp100 is formed of extruded panels and has opposite first and second ends102,104 and opposite first and second sides orside members106,108. Theside members106,108 are of the same configuration as theside members18,20 of theplatform12 andside members74,76 of theprimary ramp68 andside members90,92 of theauxiliary ramp84. Atine110 extends from eachside member106 and108. Thetines110 provide for selective attachment of theauxiliary ramp100 to theplatform12 or primary ramp68 (if sufficient length is provided for the auxiliary ramp tines110), if desired, in the manner described further above for the removable attachment of theprimary ramp68 to theplatform12 and theauxiliary ramp84 to theprimary ramp68.
• FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate the basic procedure in loading a large, heavy, and/or bulky article of equipment E, e.g., a console copy machine, etc., onto themodular dolly10. InFIGS. 6 through 8, theprimary ramp68 has been installed to the first end of theplatform12, and extends outwardly therefrom and coplanar therewith. Themodular dolly10 is relatively lightweight, particularly in comparison to a conventional console size article of equipment E such as a console copier or the like. Moreover, the length of theprimary ramp68 when installed to extend coplanar with theplatform12 acts as a relatively long lever arm about thefirst end wheels22 and24, which serve as a fulcrum. Thus, the weight and lever arm of theprimary ramp68 will cause the distal orsecond end72 of theprimary ramp68 to drop to the underlying surface to facilitate loading operations, pivoting the assembly about thefirst end wheels22 and24 and raising the oppositesecond end wheels26 and28 and second end of theplatform12 above the underlying surface, even without the placement of a load on theprimary ramp68. When thesecond end72 of theprimary ramp68 is lowered to the underlying surface, the weight of the equipment E resting thereon provides additional stability for the tilted assembly, as shown inFIG. 6.
• The beveled ends of theside members74,76 allow thesecond end72, or more precisely the floor of theramp68 at the second end thereof, to rest directly upon the underlying surface with a minimal lip or discontinuity to negotiate with the equipment E. Large, heavy, and/or bulky articles of equipment E such as large copy machines, etc., are typically equipped with very small rollers or casters, typically on the order of about two inches in diameter, more or less. In some cases the equipment may not have any wheels, and it may be necessary to load the equipment onto a small dolly for movement onto themodular dolly10. Such smaller dollies are also conventionally equipped with quite small wheels, with the beveled ends of theside members74,76 of theprimary ramp68 facilitating the transfer of the equipment (or dolly upon which it may rest) onto themodular dolly10.
• InFIG. 7, the equipment load E has been moved farther along theauxiliary ramp68 so that approximately half of its weight is resting on theauxiliary ramp68 and half is resting upon theplatform12. At this point, the load is very nearly balanced over thefirst end wheels22 and24. As the equipment E is moved closer to the opposite second end of theplatform12, the center of gravity of the equipment E anddolly10 shifts to a point between thefirst end wheels22,24 and thesecond end wheels26,28, thus lowering thesecond end wheels26,28 to the underlying surface and leveling theplatform12. The leveling of theplatform12 facilitates the completion of the positioning of the equipment E thereon, generally as shown inFIG. 8 of the drawings. Theauxiliary ramp84 was previously installed in thesockets80 at the second end of theplatform12, with theauxiliary ramp84 serving as a stop to prevent the movement of the equipment E past the second end of theplatform12.
• Once the equipment E has been positioned atop theplatform12 as desired, theauxiliary ramp84 may be removed from theplatform sockets80 and theprimary ramp68 installed therein, generally as shown inFIGS. 2,3,9, and11. Theprimary ramp68 includes a cargo strap for securing the equipment E or other load on thedolly10. Afirst portion98aof the strap is attached to and extends from thefirst side74 of theprimary ramp68, with asecond portion98battached to and extending from the oppositesecond side76 of the primary ramp. The twostrap portions98a,98bare preferably conventional, having mating buckle or latch and tongue attachments and adjustment for length as is typically found in such installations. Thecargo strap portions98a,98bare secured about the equipment E or other load generally as shown inFIGS. 9 and 11 to prevent the equipment from rolling from thefirst end14 of theplatform12 during transport of the equipment E anddolly10.
• Once the equipment E has been loaded and secured to themodular dolly10, the dolly may be used to transport the equipment E to a truck or other suitable vehicle for further transport as required. Theplatform12 of thedolly10 has a relatively low height above the underlying surface, even with theauxiliary wheels32 and34 installed thereon. Accordingly, it will generally be necessary to elevate thedolly10 so theplatform12 is level with the floor or bed of the truck or other vehicle used to transport the equipment E. This may be accomplished by loading thedolly10 onto a hand truck capable of elevating or lifting thedolly10 to the height of the truck floor, generally as shown inFIG. 9. Such hand trucks are well known, and theexemplary hand truck112 illustrated inFIGS. 9 through 11 is also capable of climbing steps or stairs to facilitate the movement of the equipment to or from an upper level in a building, where no other practicable means is provided for doing so. Such a stair climbing hand truck is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0182578, published on Aug. 17, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• In many instances it may be necessary to bridge some difficult terrain between themodular dolly10 orhand truck112 and the transport vehicle. This may be accomplished by placing thedolly10 on thehand truck112 generally as shown inFIG. 10, and extending theprimary ramp68 from the first end of theplatform12. Thehand truck112 is used to elevate theplatform12 and its extendedprimary ramp68 to a level even with the floor of the truck or vehicle, whereupon thehand truck112 may be maneuvered to place the distalsecond end72 of theprimary ramp68 on or over the rear bumper or the edge of the rear floor of the vehicle, generally as shown inFIG. 10.
• InFIG. 11, themodular dolly10 is shown loaded onto the stair climbinghand truck112 and being transported up a flight of stairs. The stair climbinghand truck112 incorporates a set of supplementary wheels or rollers that are adjustable along the length or height of the hand truck, and which may be progressively positioned on the treads of the steps to raise the load up the steps. The heights or positions of the supplementary wheels can be lowered relative to thehand truck112 by an electric motor installed with the hand truck, thereby raising the hand truck relative to the wheels to lift the load up the steps. Reversing the procedure allows the load to be lowered down the steps.
• Accordingly, it will be seen that themodular dolly10 with its various attachments greatly facilitates the movement and transport of large, heavy, and/or bulky articles of equipment. The stair climbing hand truck incorporated therewith further facilitates such operations. While a console copier is shown herein as an exemplary article of equipment, it will be understood that the use of themodular dolly10 andhand truck112 are not limited to such use, but may be used to move and transport innumerable articles having considerable size, bulk, and/or weight. Moreover, the versatility of the modular nature of thedolly10 and its various components allow the device to be adapted to various other uses in addition to those illustrated, e.g., as a ramp between a vehicle and the surface or another vehicle, etc., as desired.
• It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (19)

We claim:

1. A modular dolly, comprising:

a platform having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side;

first and second non-steerable wheels disposed beneath the first end of the platform, each of the non-steerable wheels having a brake;

first and second caster wheels disposed beneath the second end of the platform;

first and second auxiliary wheel assemblies medially and removably disposed to the first and second sides of the platform, respectively, the auxiliary wheel assemblies having larger diameters than the non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels, the auxiliary wheel assemblies supporting the non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels clear of the underlying surface when the auxiliary wheel assemblies are installed upon the platform and the platform is generally parallel to the underlying surface; and

a primary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the primary ramp being selectively attached to the platform.

2. The modular dolly according toclaim 1 further including an auxiliary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the auxiliary ramp being shorter than the primary ramp, the auxiliary ramp being selectively attached to the primary ramp or to the platform.

3. The modular dolly according toclaim 1, further including a stair-climbing hand truck in combination therewith.

4. The modular dolly according toclaim 1, wherein:

each side of the platform includes a longitudinal member having an outer face defining a longitudinal channel and a lower passage formed therein;

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies has an axle and a platform attachment member extending from the axle normal thereto, the platform attachment member having:

a channel-engaging track extending therefrom, the track selectively engaging the channel of the longitudinal member of the platform; and

a plate extending therefrom, the plate having a passage formed therethrough;

the modular dolly further comprising pin selectively inserted through the passage in the plate extending from the platform attachment member and the lower passage in the longitudinal member to secure the auxiliary wheel assembly to the platform, the pin being removed to a release position to remove the auxiliary wheel assembly.

5. The modular dolly according toclaim 1, further including a brake bar slidably extending from each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies, the brake bar being selectively positioned between a wheel-braking position and a brake release position.

6. The modular dolly according toclaim 1, wherein:

each of the solid non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels is formed as a solid component; and

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies comprises a wheel hub and a pneumatic tire installed thereon.

7. The modular dolly according toclaim 1, further including a cargo strap having a first portion extending from the first side of the platform and a second portion extending from the second side of the platform.

8. A modular dolly, comprising:

a platform having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side;

first and second non-steerable wheels disposed beneath the first end of the platform, each of the non-steerable wheels having a brake;

first and second caster wheels disposed beneath the second end of the platform;

a primary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the primary ramp being selectively attached to the platform; and

an auxiliary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the auxiliary ramp being shorter than the primary ramp, the auxiliary ramp being selectively attached to the primary ramp or to the platform.

9. The modular dolly according toclaim 8, further including first and second auxiliary wheel assemblies medially and removably disposed to the first and second sides of the platform, respectively, the auxiliary wheel assemblies having larger diameters than the non-steerable wheels and the s caster wheels, the auxiliary wheel assemblies supporting the non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels clear of the underlying surface when the auxiliary wheel assemblies are installed upon the platform and the platform is generally parallel to the underlying surface.

10. The modular dolly according toclaim 9, wherein:

each side of the platform includes a longitudinal member having an outer face defining a longitudinal channel and a lower passage formed therein;

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies has an axle and a platform attachment member extending from the axle normal thereto, the platform attachment member having:

a channel-engaging track extending therefrom, the track selectively engaging the channel of the longitudinal member of the platform; and

a plate extending therefrom, the plate having a passage formed therethrough;

the modular dolly further comprising pin selectively inserted through the passage in the plate extending from the platform attachment member and the lower passage in the longitudinal member to secure the auxiliary wheel assembly to the platform, the pin being removed to a release position to remove the auxiliary wheel assembly.

11. The modular dolly according toclaim 9, further including a brake bar slidably extending from each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies, the brake bar being selectively positioned between a wheel-braking position and a brake release position.

12. The modular dolly according toclaim 9, wherein:

each of the solid non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels is formed as a solid component; and

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies comprises a wheel hub and a pneumatic tire installed thereon.

13. The modular dolly according toclaim 8, further including a stair-climbing hand truck in combination therewith.

14. The modular dolly according toclaim 8, further including a cargo strap having a first portion extending from the first side of the platform and a second portion extending from the second side of the platform.

15. A modular dolly and stair-climbing hand truck, comprising in combination:

a modular dolly, having;

a platform having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side;

first and second non-steerable wheels disposed beneath the first end of the platform, each of the non-steerable wheels having a brake;

first and second caster wheels disposed beneath the second end of the platform;

first and second auxiliary wheel assemblies medially and removably disposed to the first and second sides of the platform, respectively, the auxiliary wheel assemblies having larger diameters than the non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels, the auxiliary wheel assemblies supporting the non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels clear of the underlying surface when the auxiliary wheel assemblies are installed upon the platform and the platform is generally parallel to the underlying surface;

a primary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the primary ramp being selectively attached to the platform;

an auxiliary ramp having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the auxiliary ramp being shorter than the primary ramp, the auxiliary ramp being selectively attached to the primary ramp or to the platform; and a stair-climbing hand truck.

16. The modular dolly according toclaim 15, wherein:

each side of the platform includes a longitudinal member having an outer face defining a longitudinal channel and a lower passage formed therein;

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies has an axle and a platform attachment member extending from the axle normal thereto, the platform attachment member having:

a channel-engaging track extending therefrom, the track selectively engaging the channel of the longitudinal member of the platform; and

a plate extending therefrom, the plate having a passage formed therethrough;

the modular dolly further comprising pin selectively inserted through the passage in the plate extending from the platform attachment member and the lower passage in the longitudinal member to secure the auxiliary wheel assembly to the platform, the pin being removed to a release position to remove the auxiliary wheel assembly.

17. The modular dolly according toclaim 15, further including a brake bar slidably extending from each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies, the brake bar being selectively positioned between a wheel-braking position and a brake release position.

18. The modular dolly according toclaim 15, wherein:

each of the solid non-steerable wheels and the caster wheels is formed as a solid component; and

each of the auxiliary wheel assemblies comprises a wheel hub and a pneumatic tire installed thereon.

19. The modular dolly according toclaim 15, further including a cargo strap having a first portion extending from the first side of the platform and a second portion extending from the second side of the platform.

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